The transportation industry hit a bump in August when truck fuel reached $3 per gallon, but the sector is still solid, says University at Albany economist Kajal Lahiri.

Lahiri, creator of the Transportation Services Index used by the federal Bureau of Transportation Statistics, said the 9 percent slump in the industry's growth since then is just a natural correction in what has been huge growth.

"There is nothing there that shows it will take a nose dive," Lahiri said.

Albany Port District Commissioner Robert Cross said that 2006 was a good year at the port, with increased shipments of sugar, cocoa and wind-turbine blades. He expects 2007 to be good as well with continued shipments of blades, more sugar stored at the port, and more ships docking.

"We certainly do anticipate that it will be a busy year," Cross said.

The Albany International Airport anticipates more business in 2007, but not much. The number of people boarding planes at the airport is expected to increase 1.6 percent, from 1.47 million in 2006 to 1.5 million in 2007, said airport spokesman Doug Myers.

The problem is, the airlines have been using smaller jets, which means fewer passengers and smaller "landed weights," which impacts the fees the airport can charge.

But airport officials are hoping the amount of cargo shipped from the airport will go from 206 million pounds this year to 212 million pounds in 2007, driving up weight figures, Myers said.